Yup, it's my birthday tomorrow, so Annie decided to really do it up and give me and the entire Annie's Army team a REALLY GREAT present today, August 22nd, 2008. We got to Pacific Gynecology Associates late morning for the results of Annie's CT scan and got the following news from our oncologist, and I quote from the CT report, "Marked interval decrease in metastatic disease within the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. No new metastatic lesions identified."
In layperson terms, and just because I like to repeat the news of these results in any and every way I can (read - shout it from the rooftops!), Annie's tumors have shrunk - across the board - and there are no new metastases. This is the first piece of really positive news we have received since Annie's diagnosis in June, and it is better than even our docs expected at this point. As you might imagine, we are walking a couple of feet off the ground.
We have always felt good about the medical team that's been evaluating information and determining and implementing treatment, but since that team stepped in, we've had quite another sort of team step up to the plate and make a HUGE difference in our lives and to Annie's health. That team is Annie's Army. If you are reading this blog, please know that we consider your support, in the form of prayers, loving e-mails, gifts of time and music and shopping and childcare and reading material and hugs, and countless other kindnesses to be at least as important, if not more important, to Annie's healing as the chemo regimen she is following. We can't thank you enough.
So where do we go from here? We stay the course. Annie will now undergo another three cycles (six rounds) of the same chemo regimen, which will take about 9 weeks. Then we do another CT scan and look for more positive results. We are, of course, looking for total eradication of all lms tumors and an Annie in complete remission. Yes, this may take a while, but the way we are feeling today....well, first of all, we've GOT a while!, and secondly, we're feeling as though we can - with all ya'll beside us, conquer the world!
We send you our enduring gratitude and SO MUCH LOVE!
Anita, Annie, Hazel & Gabe
